Li-insertion studies were performed on V 4 O 3 (PO 4 ) 3 that belongs to the libscombite/lazulite family. Availability of multiple oxidation states and vacancies in crystal structure allows for the insertion of more than 7 lithium ions per formula unit. We will show that in the voltage window of 1-4 V vs. Li + /Li, 6.0 Li-ions could be inserted leading to a reversible capacity of 195 mAh/g at a C/5 rate. A structural transformation is observed from ex-situ XRD patterns after the insertion of 2 lithium at 2.4 V vs. Li + /Li, consistent with the available crystallographic sites in the structure. Interestingly we show that from this phase Li 2 V 4 O 3 (PO 4 ) 3 , further lithium insertion lead to an amorphous material but the structure is completely recovered on charge. Layered hexagonal transition metal oxides LiMO 2 (here, M = Co, Mn, Ni, Fe, Cr) have been extensively studied for commercial Li-ion secondary battery applications.1,2 The substitution of Ni and Mn in LiCoO 2 results in composition of LiNi 1/3 Mn 1/3 Co 1/3 O 2 is proven to be a promising cathode material.3-6 Spinel LiMn 2 O 4 has shown more interest due to less toxic nature of Mn, but lagged in the competition for next generation cheap energy storage device in presence of manganese dissolution in electrolyte and structural instability. 7,8 To make structurally and electrochemically stable spinel LiMn 2 O 4 , the manganese (Mn) ion substituted with Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Al and Mg were explored. 7,9-13 Even though layered and spinel transition metal oxides are extensively studied for Li ion battery applications, there is an existence of crystal structural problems while on charging to higher voltage where the electrolyte is unstable due to evolution of oxygen from de-lithiated transition metal oxide framework. To address this problem, more research focus on lithium containing metal phosphate LiFePO 4 , LiMnPO 4 , Li 3 V 2 (PO 4 ) 3 etc.14-16 have been explored as thermally stable electrode materials. Indeed, the bonding of oxygen to phosphorous stabilize the structure from oxygen evolution, differently to layered transition metal oxides whereas oxygen evolution occurs at high charge voltages.17,18 But the energy obtained for these materials is low compared to metal oxide materials due to its high molecular weight. To compensate the energy density of metal polyanionic materials, the number of electrons transferred per unit formula has to increase through oxidation or reduction of transition metal ions vs.
ExperimentalFor the synthesis route of V 4 O 3 (PO 4 ) 3 , we use the same route that was described by E. Benser and co-workers 32 in which stoichiometric amounts of homemade precursors VO 2 , VPO 4 , and (VO) 2 P 2 O 7 are placed in a carbon coated evacuated quart tube at 800• C for the period of five days.The X-ray diffraction pattern was recorded in the 2θ scale range of 10-120• , Cu Kα as X-ray source using BRUKER (D8) diffractometer and Co Kα as X-ray source using PAN analytical diffractometer. Rietveld refinement was carried out using FULLPROF so...